Page 6 of A Marriage of Necessity

Kennedy whirled. “What the bloody hell?”

Jacqueline said, “There is more. ‘You might think to make off with your sister and hide her somewhere, which is why I have already sent her away. No one save myself knows where she is. If I die tomorrow, no one will know where to look for her.’”

Kennedy stared. “This is insanity.”

Jacqueline didn’t shift her eyes from the letter, but continued, “I will not settle for a betrothal. You must marry and produce an heir within a year. Do so, and I will allow you to choose your sister’s husband when the time comes. Defy me, and I will not only marry her and Granbury, but they shall not return home until she has produced an heir for him.”

Kennedy dashed his glass against the hearth and took two steps toward Jacqueline. “This reeks of your handiwork.”

She shook her head. “You underestimate your father, and overestimate my influence.”

“I know you both too well to mistake either of you,” he snarled.

“What possible reason could I have for wanting to see you married?” She dropped her gaze. “I had always hoped…” She raised her head, eyes shimmering with moisture.

“By God,” he exploded, “you missed your calling. You should have been an actress. Pray, do not pretend you have any tender feelings for me. Those illusions were shattered the day you rose from my bed and announced your engagement to my father.” He snorted in derision. “I suppose I should thank him for marrying you. Though had he any idea that he was saving me from making the greatest mistake of my life, I’m sure he wouldn’t have done it.”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Rage rammed through him. He crossed the room, seized her wrist and yanked her to her feet. “Where is Rose?”

She shrank back and shook her head. “I don’t know. As the letter states, only he knows. He wouldn’t chance my telling you.” More tears slid down her cheeks. “He knows that you and I are close.”

Kennedy released her and staggered back two paces. “Of course, he knows. That’s why he married you.”

She shook her head. “Nae, he does not know that we were—” She broke off

“Lovers?” he sneered.

“We were much more than that.” She took a step toward him.

He turned away, his steps faltering, and reached his desk in time to brace himself, his back to her. “Leave, Jacqueline.”

“Please, Kennedy, we cannot leave things like this between us.”

“There is no us,” he said.

Her skirts rustled and he realized she was walking toward him. He whirled to find her three steps away. He had to get away from her. Kennedy strode to the door. Hand on the knob, he looked back at her. “I suggest you not return home to your husband for at least an hour.”

Half an hour later, Kennedy banged on the door of his father’s mansion. The door opened in two seconds. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he realized the footman had been waiting for him. He pushed past the man and raced up the stairs to his father’s bedchamber. The door stood open. Aye, his father expected him. He continued inside and found his father propped up in bed. A fission of alarm shot through him at sight of his father’s yellow pallor. He looked far worse than when Kennedy had last seen him a year ago. Cruel fate. Only an hour ago, he would have rejoiced in seeing his father’s decline. Now, until Rose was safely home, his father’s illness frightened him more than anything ever had in his life.

The earl laid aside the book he’d been reading and met Kennedy’s gaze.

“Where is she?” Kennedy demanded.

“Once you are married—to a proper lady, mind you, no peasant from the country—and once you produce an heir, I will bring her home,” he replied in a strong voice that belied his appearance.

Kennedy’s hands worked into fists at his sides. “I will kill you for this.”

“Then you will never find your sister.”

“She is not a child. She can find her way home.” But she was a child. Only fifteen.

His father’s gaze remained locked with his. “Do you really think I would make it that easy?”

Rage threatened to overwhelm him. His thoughts jumbled. His sister, only fifteen years old, being held prisoner somewhere. Would her jailers safeguard her?

Kennedy swayed. “How do I know she is safe?”